Sometimes when we're in life scenarios that aren't ideal, we may find ourselves over-exaggerating the details. Our job is better, relationships and finances are healthier... maybe we've seen and experienced more, had amazing adventures or owned things that are totally outside our means. We fluff up our titles, make acquaintances out to be great friends and neglect to mention the reality of our life which (along with less "exciting" bits and pieces) includes feelings of doubt, dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment.
If you can't get honest with others about the reality of your situation, you're probably spending a good bit of time avoiding it yourself... and if you're avoiding the truth about your life, you're never going to be able to get to where you really want to be (you know... the fluffed up version)!
Know that where you are right now is perfect. There's absolutely nothing wrong with your life right now. You are exactly where you need to be. Learning to love and appreciate your life for what it is, is the first step towards living the life that you dream of. You cannot move from here to there without this essential first step.
By practicing gratitude, you'll immediately move from a life that's lacking to one of abundance. Being okay with where you are now allows you the space and energy to take action towards creating the positive changes you'd like to see.
Action Step ›› Make a gratitude list right now. List out absolutely everything that you feel grateful for in this moment... and I do mean every. If you're feeling like a lot is lacking in your life right now, get creative! Maybe you're grateful that your boss at least chews gum before getting in your face every day... or maybe you're grateful that your pots and pans are still in "like new" condition. It doesn't matter, just take the time to practice gratitude for what presently exists in your life.
Take a good, hard look at what's really going on. Think about the parts and pieces of your life that you're not honestly sharing with others. Is there an area or two in particular that you feel the most shame or avoidance around? Is there a recurring "fluffed up" version that you tend to share? Is it only with specific people or in certain situations that this happens?
Looking at what it is that you fabricate (no matter how large or small) will give you great insight into what you really want to create in your life or what areas are way off course from where you want to be.
Action Step ›› Take some time to think about the areas of your life that you might be exaggerating a tiny bit (or a whole lot). Write down the top area or story that you like to tell others that isn't 100 percent accurate. Ask yourself why you aren't being totally honest. Do you feel embarrassed? Are you talking to someone who isn't very supportive of your life? Are you trying to be something you're not (yet)?
Start taking action towards making the fluff a reality.. Wouldn't it be way more amazing if you really did have that fluffed up job title? The passionate relationship, crazy adventures and exciting social life? After you've taken a look at the real reason behind this habit, you can start taking action towards creating positive changes.
Continue to practice gratitude on a daily basis. List out at least five things a day that you're grateful for and try to take one small and manageable step towards your ideal life each day.
And more importantly, take some pride in where you are today! I'm positive that you've accomplished a lot in your life already and you have a lot of amazing things coming your way.
Leave me a comment below and share with me the #1 story (or slightly fluffed up version) that you discovered after reading this post! I would love to hear your insights.
Stephenie Zamora is the founder of www.stepheniezamora.com, a full-service, life-purpose development, design and branding boutique. Here she merges the worlds of personal development and branding to help young women build passion-based businesses. Click here to download her free guide, "The Unexpected Trick to Transforming Your Life With ONE Single Question."
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